10 Must-Have Apps For Visiting Madrid

In the age of the smartphone, apps make travel easy and fun. Here are some must-have apps to download before heading to Madrid.

Cabify

If you can’t manage to snag a taxi, Cabify is a car service you can use instead. In most cases, it’s actually cheaper than a taxi, and the sleek, black cars with free water bottles and snazzy drivers make for an upgraded experience. Simply download the app, add your credit card info and request a pickup. You can even reserve a ride in advance, which is handy if you’ve got an early morning flight. Download in Apple Store or Google Play.

El Tenedor

If you want to eat out in Madrid but have no idea where to go, download El Tenedor, which means “the fork” in Spanish. You can search restaurants by location, cuisine or even by discount. Some restaurants offer up to 50% off food if each person in your party orders a minimum of an appetizer and a main course, or a main course and a dessert. You can often find great deals on weekdays, when discounts are more common. Even if you’re not price-conscious, El Tenedor is an easy way to make online reservations. Plus, each time you complete a reservation, you’ll earn Yums Points, which you can later use for discounts. Download in Apple Store or Google Play.

EMT

For those who dare to navigate Madrid’s EMT bus system, this app is essential. You can map your route, find the right bus and even see how many minutes it will be until the bus arrives at your chosen stop. If anything goes wrong, you can also report problems through the app. Download in Apple Store or Google Play.

Google Translate

Madrid is a fabulous city to visit because it’s really authentic, but the flip side of this is that you won’t always be able to get by in English. Before you panic about the fact you can’t speak Spanish, download Google Translate and be on your way. The app has all sorts of fun uses: you can hold the phone’s camera over writing to translate written text such as menus, or type in a phrase in English and press play; the app will say your phrase in Spanish out loud, in case you’re unsure how to pronounce it. You can even download the Spanish language pack offline if you want to be able to use the app without internet access. Download in Apple Store or Google Play.

GuíaPunto Madrid

This app is essential for figuring out what kind of activities you’d like to take part in in Madrid. The app searches for bars, galleries, cultural centers, shopping and more in Madrid, based on your preferences. There’s quite a variety of spots included, and you can find historical places, trendy areas and all sorts of unique corners of the city. Download on Apple Store or Google Play.

Ulmon Madrid Travel Guide & Map

One of the best features of this travel guide is the offline maps, which will let you navigate the city sans internet. The app also lets you bookmark attractions and provides travel content and tips about Madrid. You can even book hotels through the app. Download on Apple Store or Google Play.

XE Currency Converter

MercaMad

Markets are the coolest way to eat, shop and explore in Madrid. But if you aren’t sure which ones to visit, which stalls are the best or what to buy where, the MercaMad app is a lifesaver. The app provides information on over 46 markets and 2,000 market stalls. It will tell you the closest markets to your location and even let you bookmark your favorites. Download on Apple Store or Google Play.

BiciMad

BiciMad is the public electric bicycle system in Madrid. The app will let you see where the closest bike stations are, allow you to reserve your bike ahead of time and tell you the closest station to your destination for parking and whether there’s space there. Download on Apple Store or Google Play.